Page 61 of Free to Breathe
“Of course I do! I wonder if it’s poor form not to invite my sister wives over for breakfast?” Her voice is laced with mirth, and her face is lit with humor. “Before I worry about them, let’s get you fed first.”
“Best offer I’ve had in a long time, princess.” I rub my chin against her head as we make our way back into her kitchen.
29
Corinna
It’s so familiar, and so new at the same time. I’m standing at the griddle frying up fresh pancakes, as Colby stands next to me playing with my hair like he used to do when I’d be cooking in my tiny off-campus apartment at college.
We wasted years on assumptions we have no one else to blame but ourselves for. Regardless of my missing what are now very obvious signs of Colby’s interest in me then, I was in no way ready for the man he was becoming. And it’s time to stop punishing him for having had a life in between.
“You know we’re going to have to talk about it,” I say diplomatically. Really, diplomacy’s not my strong suit, so if anything should put Colby on high alert, that should.
I’m not surprised when his hand stills and he asks warily, “Talk about what?”
Turning to face him, I say dramatically, “Everything.” Much more my style. But my lips can’t stop twitching even as I flip the fresh stack of lemon ricotta pancakes onto a plate.
“‘Everything’s’ a lot of ground to cover, princess.” Taking the plate I hold out to him, he stands right next to me while I pour two more circles on the griddle. As the pancakes start to bubble, I glance at Colby. His face is filled with a mix of emotions.
“Colby, we have to talk about the hard stuff. If we don’t, our chance for a reconciliation of any sort is doomed before it has a chance,” I say softly.
“Expert relationship advice from a woman who tried to marry her sisters last night?” he says sarcastically.
“No, expert relationship advice from someone who watched two of her older sisters almost lose their soul mates before all their truths came out.” I flip the pancakes over. “If we’re nothing more than friends, then so be it. That’s the path life chose for us. What I won’t have is doubt causing us ever to question each other.” His full lips part slightly at my words. Pulling back the plate from his hands, I slide the last two on top before walking over to the counter where warmed syrup, blueberries, and raspberries are waiting. Gesturing for him to sit, I continue. “We weren’t saints. We aren’t perfect. We’re two people who refuse to let others win because they lied, and we didn’t. So, we’ll clear the air of the pain so no one will have a chance to come at us blind again.”
“You really want to hear about other women?” he questions as he slides pancakes onto his plate. He reaches for the bowl of berries.
“About as much as you want to hear about other men,” I fire back. “But would you rather hear about them from me or from someone else?” I take the remaining two pancakes before reaching for the syrup.
Colby pauses in the act of dumping half the berries on top of his dish. Quickly, I snag the bowl from his unresisting hands. “Hey! I wasn’t done,” he protests.
I raise my eyebrow. “Use some syrup, buddy. I want some fruit.”
Grumbling, he pours the remainder of the maple syrup on top of his stack of pancakes, drowning them. It’s good to see some things haven’t changed. Colby still prefers to have a little pancake with his syrup whereas I want just enough to keep my pancakes soft until the last bite.
Forking the first bite into his mouth, he moans. “Sweet Jesus. These are fantastic.”
I nod as I take a bite of my own.
Colby’s fork clinks against the plate as he goes for another bite. He shovels it in, chews, swallows, and nabs another before he responds to my question. “You’re right. I’d rather just know we both have a past and leave it where it belongs, but if the other night is any indication…”
I point my fork at him. “Exactly. And there’s really only one I give a shit about anyway because, frankly, she made my life a living hell.”
He sighs. “Addison.” He reaches for his coffee and notices it’s empty. Getting up for a refill, he adds cream and sits back down. Taking a sip, he frowns. “Why does it always taste better when you make it?”
I smirk. “There’s no way in hell I’m answering that.”
His leg brushes mine under the counter. “Maybe I’ll just take yours.” He reaches for my cup, but I slap at his hand. He just laughs.
“Give me your cup, you pathetic man.” I get up and get the jar of salted caramel near the coffeepot. I drizzle in just enough to satisfy Colby’s sweet tooth, then stir rapidly. This is why I prefer to melt it in with the cream before the coffee is poured. I have fewer chances of it clinging to the bottom of the mug. “Here.” I hold the mug in his general direction.
Taking, he quickly takes a sip. “I want a jar of that for the office.”
I snort. “Fat chance.”
“Oh, come on, Corinna. I have to work with Keene all day.” I give Colby a stern look, but inside I’m giggling because the idea of working with Keene sounds completely horrific. “I had to hide the brownies you gave me the other day.”
I tilt my head. “Where did you hide them?”
